-Title and purpose of lab identified clearly -Hypothesis with clearly defined independent & dependent variables
-Purpose statement contains extraneous info./title is accurate -Hypothesis with some inaccuracies regarding the independent & dependent variable
-Purpose statement is unclear or slightly unclear or no title -Incorrect hypothesis with wrong independent & dependent variable
-No purpose/wrong purpose -No hypothesis
Abstract
-Abstract contains reference to all major aspects of carrying out the experiment and the results. -Well-written
-Abstract references most of the major aspects of the experiment -Some minor details are missing
-Abstract misses one or more major aspects of carrying out the experiment or the results -Poorly written
-Several major aspects of the experiment are missing -Student displays a lack of understanding about how to write an abstract
Introduction/Background
-Introduction complete and well written -Provides all necessary background principles for the experiment (Newton's laws, Atwood machines, how Atwood machines are used for physics learning.) -Uses at least three references for background information.
--Some introductory information, but still missing some major points -Uses only 2 references
-Introduction is nearly complete, missing some minor points -Uses only 1 reference
-Very little background information provided or information is incorrect -No references
Procedures and Apparatus
-Completely labeled, neat diagram -For one trial, each step explained clearly -Independent and dependent variables correctly identified
-Diagram missing a few labels or minor elements/ or somewhat sloppy -Steps slightly unclear, or too much extraneous information -Independent and dependent variables identified correctly, with incorrect variables also identified.
-Significant labels or elements missing from diagram or very sloppy -Significant steps missing, or steps difficult to follow -Independent or dependent variable identified incorrectly
-No apparatus -No steps or impossible to follow -No variables identified
Data- Tables and Pasco Graphs (if applicable)
-All relevant data recorded -Data recorded in well-organized table -All data columns are labeled, including units, accurately -All data recorded with correct numbers of significant figures -Sample calculations for average time, force, acceleration, total mass.
-Only a few data points missing -Data recorded in table -Only a few labels or units missing or incorrect -Most data recorded with proper number of significant figures -Only shows parts of calcultaions
-Significant missing data -Some data in table form -Significant labels or units missing or incorrect -Most data not recorded with the proper number of sig. figs. -No evidence of calculations
-No data -No table -No units -No data -No calculations
Graphs and Analysis(3 Graphs:– F vs. a;m vs. a; and m vs. a modified to make straight line)
-The appropriate graphs for each data set is presented accurately -Formula is on graph with units and variables -Relationships are clearly and accurately identified -All graphs are labeled accurately, including units
-The appropriate graphs are presented and some inaccuracies exist -Mistake in formula -Some relationships identified correctly, others are incorrect or missing -Only a few labels or units missing or incorrect
-Significant inaccuracies in graphs, axes reversed and/or some graphs missing -Relationships identified incorrectly -Significant labels or units missing or incorrect
-No graphs are presented or are totally inaccurate -No relationships identified -No units or labels
-Equations stated correctly with all appropriate variables and constant substitutions -*Meaning of constants correctly explained (slope and y-intercept) -*Percent error calculated and its significance clearly explained -Identification of errors/pitfalls with accurate explanation of their significance when applicable
-Correct equations, one specific variable not accurately substituted or few units are incorrect -Explanation of constants slightly unclear or incomplete -Percent error calculated and its significance explained with slightly unclear explanation -Identification of errors/pitfalls with slightly unclear explanation of their significance
-Correct equation, substitutions or variables and units are incorrect or mostly incorrect -Explanation of constants missing significant elements -Percent error calculated and its significance explained with vague or inaccurate explanation -Identification of errors/pitfalls with vague or inaccurate explanation of their significance
-Incorrect/missing equation -No explanation of constants or an incorrect statement was made -No percent error or explanation -No identification or explanation of error/pitfalls
Format/ Content/WorksCited
-No spelling or grammatical errors -Each section is clearly labeled -Included all necessary analysis -All statements made were accurate and thorough -All used references are cited in proper MLA or APA
-Few spelling or grammatical errors -Most sections are clearly labeled -Missing some minor analysis associated with the lab -Statements made were accurate, but not detailed -Works cited in poor MLA format
-Several spelling or grammatical errors -Few sections are clearly labeled -Missing major analysis associated with the lab -Some statements contained inaccuracies -Works Cited are only links
-Grammatically atrocious -Sections are not labeled -No true analysis of the lab work was done -Many inaccurate statements were made -No works cited
Participation
-Full participation during experimental procedures
-Partial contribution while performing experiment (on and off task)
-Made little or no effort to participate lab
Lab Report MUST be typed or it will not be accepted.
How to Write a Journal Style Scientific Paper
http://abacus.bates.edu/~ganderso/biology/resources/writing/HTWtoc.html
NOTE: it is assumed that all lab reports will be word-processed
Example Lab on Google.doc . (This lab is at best a "C", but the lab displays most of the sections)
Modified Atwood Experiment PHYSICS LAB ASSESSMENT RUBRIC
Title/Purpose
-Hypothesis with clearly defined independent & dependent variables
-Hypothesis with some inaccuracies regarding the independent & dependent variable
-Incorrect hypothesis with wrong independent & dependent variable
-No hypothesis
Abstract
-Well-written
-Some minor details are missing
-Poorly written
-Student displays a lack of understanding about how to write an abstract
-Provides all necessary background principles for the experiment (Newton's laws, Atwood machines, how Atwood machines are used for physics learning.)
-Uses at least three references for background information.
-Uses only 2 references
-Uses only 1 reference
-No references
-For one trial, each step explained clearly
-Independent and dependent variables correctly identified
-Steps slightly unclear, or too much extraneous information
-Independent and dependent variables identified correctly, with incorrect variables also identified.
-Significant steps missing, or steps difficult to follow
-Independent or dependent variable identified incorrectly
-No steps or impossible to follow
-No variables identified
-Data recorded in well-organized table
-All data columns are labeled, including units, accurately
-All data recorded with correct numbers of significant figures
-Sample calculations for average time, force, acceleration, total mass.
-Data recorded in table
-Only a few labels or units missing or incorrect
-Most data recorded with proper number of significant figures
-Only shows parts of calcultaions
-Some data in table form
-Significant labels or units missing or incorrect
-Most data not recorded with the proper number of sig. figs.
-No evidence of calculations
-No table
-No units
-No data
-No calculations
-Formula is on graph with units and variables
-Relationships are clearly and accurately identified
-All graphs are labeled accurately, including units
-Mistake in formula
-Some relationships identified correctly, others are incorrect or missing
-Only a few labels or units missing or incorrect
-Relationships identified incorrectly
-Significant labels or units missing or incorrect
-No relationships identified
-No units or labels
-*Meaning of constants correctly explained (slope and y-intercept)
-*Percent error calculated and its significance clearly explained
-Identification of errors/pitfalls with accurate explanation of their significance when applicable
-Explanation of constants slightly unclear or incomplete
-Percent error calculated and its significance explained with slightly unclear explanation
-Identification of errors/pitfalls with slightly unclear explanation of their significance
-Explanation of constants missing significant elements
-Percent error calculated and its significance explained with vague or inaccurate explanation
-Identification of errors/pitfalls with vague or inaccurate explanation of their significance
-No explanation of constants or an incorrect statement was made
-No percent error or explanation
-No identification or explanation of error/pitfalls
-Each section is clearly labeled
-Included all necessary analysis
-All statements made were accurate and thorough
-All used references are cited in proper MLA or APA
-Most sections are clearly labeled
-Missing some minor analysis associated with the lab
-Statements made were accurate, but not detailed
-Works cited in poor MLA format
-Few sections are clearly labeled
-Missing major analysis associated with the lab
-Some statements contained inaccuracies
-Works Cited are only links
-Sections are not labeled
-No true analysis of the lab work was done
-Many inaccurate statements were made
-No works cited
Online Simulations: Traditional Atwood Modified Atwood